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COVID-19: What You Should Know

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus, a virus that causes flu like symptoms and is highly contagious. You can help slow the spread by staying home as much as possible. If you must go out, wear a face covering and stay at least 6 feet away from others. Below is information to help you during this public health crisis.
 

Testing Facilities

Follow your medical provider’s instructions on testing. Please note that the Town has not endorse these facilities.

Symptom Checker  

  • Symptom Checker: Buoy.com/mass Understand Your Symptoms. Make Smarter Decisions about COVID-19.
  • People may be sick with the virus for 1 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and before developing symptoms. The most common symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are fever, tiredness, cough or dry cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills or repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and a new loss of taste or smell.

Order: Wear Face Masks or Face Coverings in Public

Who is at High Risk? 

  • Older adults are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness
  • Anyone with serious, chronic or pre-exisiting medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, low immunity, or lung disease

Prevention

  • Wash your hands, avoid touching your eyes, nose & mouth, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
  • Practice Social Distancing: Take precautions to keep six feet between yourself and others.
  • During this stay at home advisory, you should refrain from interacting in person with anyone who does not live within your own household.
  • Wear a face covering in public. Don't have a mask?  See CDC Tips on how to make and wear face coverings.
    The Town of Wayland strongly recommends that residents wear facial coverings (e.g., mask, scarf, or bandana) when it is necessary to leave home, conduct essential business or enter into areas where you may encounter other individuals, especially indoors (e.g., shopping areas and restaurants offering take-out service).

What to do if you are sick

  • If you are sick with fever (100.4°F / 38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing avoid contact with others, and call ahead to your primary care physician and contact the Wayland Health Department.
  • How to Manage Your Symptoms at Home (CDC)
  • Self-Quarantine
  • Report it. The Wayland Board of Health (BOH) continues to urge all residents and businesses to self-report any COVID-19 symptoms to the Coronavirus Hotline at 508-358-6805 and your primary care physician. Such reporting is critically important to assist with the Town’s case tracking and to maintain awareness of all COVID-19 cases in Wayland, whether residents or business employees. The Health Department strictly maintains patient confidentiality on this and all health matters.

During self-quarantine-follow these steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing:

  • Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
  • Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.
  • Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing
  • Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
  • Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).
  • Guidance on Self-Quarantine from MDPH

    Coronavirus Resources

    Guidance and directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), and other state agencies related to COVID-19.
     

    We continue to urge all residents to evaluate their own health and determine if they are feeling mildly ill with a head cold, headache, cough and/or experiencing any CDC identified symptoms of COVID-19. If you are feeling any COVID-19 symptoms, we advise you to contact the Wayland Health Department at the Coronavirus Hotline 508-358-6805 and your primary care physician for guidance. If you or anyone in your family has any symptoms of being ill, we advise you to stay quarantined at home until you are feeling better and follow up with your primary care physician as needed. If you need help with basic life necessities such as obtaining food or medications, please call 508-358-7701. The Town will provide assistance.